Hi everyone! I hope you're all doing fantastic! I was really pleased to see how well-received the last chapter was. 3 It was feelsy, but it was a necessary moment for them both, I think. And we're so close to the end ahh! I feel like i'm sending my child off to college lol... This story has become like, my baby. xD

Anyways, here's the next chapter! Thank you for the continued support ~

I do not own MM!

I trailed slowly along the path by the waterfront, my scarf whipping silently in the ocean breeze, hands shoved into my pockets as I walked. I ran my gaze along the horizon, the setting sun reflecting beautifully on the water. I turned to the left, smiling as I saw the bench where I had asked Yoosung to be my boyfriend just short of a year ago, the memory of that day causing me to feel warm, even despite the chilling January wind.

I closed my eyes, sighing softly at the moment of peace, the only sound being the breeze rustling beyond me, the small cries of a kitten in the distance, the ocean rippling next to me- I opened my eyes in surprise, turning around as I heard the distressed mewls again, my eyes scouring the area.

I waited a moment, holding my breath to focus, waiting for the sound, wondering if I had imagined it- until suddenly, it came again, causing me to jump a bit in surprise. I stepped forwards tentatively, trying to locate where it was coming from. My eyes fell to the trunk of a tree, my stomach lurching as I saw a torn up box sitting at the base of it, a dirty ball of fluff weakly crawling around inside.

I looked around the area, desperately hoping someone was nearby, but I was alone- there was nobody for miles. I pulled off my scarf, gingerly picking up the kitten and wrapping it in the scarf softly, running away with it as I pulled out my phone, dialling as I ran.

"Hello?"

"Yoosung," I panted as I ran, turning corners as quickly as I could, "Can you come over right now? I- I need your help."

"What? What's wrong? Are you hurt?"

"No, It's not me- It's a cat. I found it."

"What?"

"Just come over, please! I don't know what to do..!" I was desperate, my heart pounding as the small kitten meowed up at me pathetically.

"Okay," He breathed softly, suddenly taking in the situation, "Okay, I'll be right there."

I burst through the front door, wheezing as sweat dripped down my face, leaning against the wall for support.

"S-Sae... Saeyoung..!"

He came bounding down the hallway at my frantic call, his eyes wide.

"Saeran?! Are you okay?!"

My chest heaved as I leaned forwards, the scarf revealing the small kitten wrapped in the bundle in my arms. Saeyoung's eyes widened, staring at it for a moment.

"Is that... A kitten?"

I nodded slowly, looking up at him, my breathing too heavy to speak, hoping he would recognize I needed help. He turned on his heel, running towards the bathroom, quickly returning with a warm towel. He traded it for the scarf, and I wrapped the kitten up inside the towel, a small sense of relief growing inside me as the shivering rippling through the small animal's frame began to cease.

"Did you call Yoosung?"

"Y-Yeah," I spoke softly, still catching my breath from the running, "He should be here soo-"

I was cut off by a loud knock on the door, at which Saeyoung stepped around me, opening it. Yoosung knelt down next to me immediately, taking the bundled kitten from my arms to look it over. He checked its eyes and teeth, giving a quick inspection of its fur, his brow furrowed as he focused on what he was doing- I made a mental note of how cute he looked fussing over that cat.

"Well, it is thin and quite dirty, but thankfully it doesn't look like it has any infections or is sick. It's got no bumps on its body, either, or missing fur. With a bath and proper feeding, it should be okay."

I nodded, my anxiety beginning to wash away as I stared at the kitten, its eyes almost stuck together with dirt.

"But, what do we do with it?" Saeyoung spoke tentatively as he looked down at us, unsure of what else to do in this situation. Yoosung sighed loudly, running a hand through his hair.

"I'm guessing that the person who had it didn't want it, so they threw it away. Unfortunately a lot of kittens and dogs are ending up like that lately... We could take it to a shelter."

I barely registered what he said as the kitten cracked one eye open, meeting my gaze, its yellow-green orbs staring back up at me, giving a soft, gentle meow.

"...I'll take care of it."

They both turned to look at me, surprised. Saeyoung stepped forwards, his eyebrows raised incredulously.

"Sarean..?"

I took the bundle from Yoosung's arms, touching the kitten's head softly, a small blush on my face as it began to purr happily. Yoosung smiled at me, tilting his head at me.

"I think it likes you."

I continued to pet it slowly, watching as it nuzzled into my fingertips cutely. Yoosung placed a hand on my elbow, and I looked up at him for a moment, ceasing my attention on the kitten.

"What will you name her?"

I looked back towards the kitten, smiling a bit as it mewled up at me, its whiskers tickling my fingers, and I found I couldn't help but feel happy when I looked down at her.

"...Desta."

Happiness.

Yoosung smiled, his eyes sparkling warmly at me, rubbing my elbow softly.

"I love that name."

I smiled at him a bit, stroking the kitten's cheek.

"Will you.. help me take care of it?"

Yoosung nodded, his smile growing wider as he took his bag off of his back, setting it onto the floor next to him.

"Of course, Saeran. I brought some kitten shampoo from school- you're lucky you caught me right when I was about to leave! I'm gonna start running some warm water in the sink so we can give this poor girl a bath." He stood up, turning on his heel, walking into the kitchen. I looked back down at Desta, who was now nuzzling into the blanket, pressed up against my chest.

Saeyoung looked at me, a mixture of uncertainty and pride on his face.

"Are you sure, Saeran?"

I nodded slowly, looking into his eyes firmly, holding his gaze so he could see that I was earnest.

"I know it seems odd for me.. But, I just feel that I need to," I looked down ad the kitten, stroking under its chin, "Not just for the cat's sake."

Saeyoung sighed, smiling a bit at me, ruffling my hair.

"That's very mature of you."

I stepped back, giving him a small glare, the smile on my lips betraying me.

"And you're the one to talk about maturity?"

Saeyoung shot finger guns at me, giving an animated wink along with the action, causing me to roll my eyes. Yoosung popped his head around the corner in that moment, laughing softly.

"Saeyoung, can you stop being weird for like five minutes so we can bathe this kitten?"

I walked by my brother, smirking over my shoulder.

"I don't think he's capable of stopping for more than a few seconds, let alone five minutes."

Saeyoung held his hands to his side, gasping dramatically, pretending to have been stabbed.

"Saeran," He breathed, throwing his head back with flair, "I'm wounded! So cruel."

I smirked as I walked over to the sink, placing the towel on the countertop. Saeyoung turned to Yoosung, an indignant pout on his lips.

"Yoosung, you've made my brother sassy."

Yoosung laughed, shaking his head slowly, a contented smile on his lips.

"I think he was already sassy."

I tilted my head back, looking at Yoosung through the corner of my eye.

"Yoosung, come help me bathe the kitten."

Yoosung grinned in my direction, practically skipping over to me, sliding his hands slowly over my hips, trailing them along my lower back as he leaned up on his tiptoes, giving me a quick kiss on the cheek. He giggled as he pulled away, and I smiled down at him, watching as he began to lather up his hands in shampoo, taking the kitten gently in his hands, cleaning her fur under the water. I watched him work so I could learn how to do it myself, opting to stand behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist from behind, my head leaning on his shoulder. He nuzzled my head with his softly, smiling happily as I gave his ear a soft kiss.

He rinsed the soap off of Desta, and she mewed up at us, sounding happier already to be clean and free of all the dirt matting her fur together. I slid my arms along Yoosung's, placing my hands over his, so both of our hands were holding Desta, and I could feel him blushing happily against my cheek. I smiled, my eyes trailing over the sight of our hands holding this small creature, together.

Maybe this is what a family feels like.

That's it for this chapter!

The thought of Yoosung and Saeran bathing a lil baby kitten together just... stabs me in the soul. Someone save me. I'm dead ;0;

I hope you guys liked this chapter! Only 4 more to go! So many emotions rn...

See you soon!

~Pixil-8